Peirene’s EU Open Letter

Before the 2016 EU referendum, Peirene Press wrote a letter stating the cultural case for remaining inside the EU. It was signed by over 250 cultural professionals. The full text and list of signatories is below:

Dear reader,

We, the undersigned, representing a range of literary arts and institutions, believe that Britain should remain within the EU. The In/Out debate often neglects arguments from culture. We maintain that an isolationist step away from Europe is a step away from our own heritage. It is a step towards an insular position antithetical to the open interchange of ideas and support that has defined European culture.

Cultural exchange is a crucial part of a vibrant national culture. The freedom of movement between EU countries has allowed the free movement of ideas. European artists, students and cultural experts have enriched our creative sectors, enabled by the relative low risk of moving to a fellow EU state. Likewise, British artists have been able to expand their audiences and build international relationships. Creative Europe, an EU programme, has supported 228 UK cultural and creative organisations in the past two years with grants totalling €40 million. A withdrawal from the shared space would lead to the UK’s creative industries suffering.

Last year, a report from Literature Across Frontiers (LAF) indicated that in recent years, foreign literature has become more popular in the UK. General translations grew by 53% between 1990 and 2012 and literary translations by 66%. The late Umberto Eco said that ‘translation is Europe’s only common language’, and we cannot underestimate how translated literature opens doors to other cultures. The rising number of translations is in line with the UK’s closer relationship with Europe. Raising barriers at this time when mutual understanding is so important is dangerous, culturally and ideologically.

Brexit would mean jeopardising cross-cultural institutional relationships dependent on the free movement of people and goods, as well as EU funding initiatives. It would be an existential threat to our island’s identity as an active, outward-looking cultural leader.